MORRIS COUNTY CANCER COALITION
Recruitment Organize and recruit the membership of the Morris County Cancer Coalition and provide participants with factual information regarding cancer in Morris County and in New Jersey (an ongoing effort); Advocacy Supports cancer services related legislative initiatives, programs affecting the county, and the Morristown Initiative of the American Cancer Society. Oral Cancer Project A multi-county project is now in place that intends support of the activities of the Multi-State (Oral Cancer) Consortium, and the related activities of The New Jersey Dental School–UMDNJ, with public and professional education, and screening and treatment services. At this time, health professionals from Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, and Union Counties are participating. Prostate Cancer Research Project Early in 2009, the Coalition agreed with the Center to assist their management of an important research project funded by the Department of Defense. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study is to identify and understand the factors that influence men’s decision regarding prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. It will use semi-structured interviews with men in the community to:
In Morris County, New Jersey, prostate cancer is the 2nd most prevalent cancer, with the highest incidence rates among African-American men. In fact, African-American men in Morris County have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer in the state. Cancer screening rates for minority men, specifically African-American and Hispanic men, are less than that of their White counterparts, which contributes to their higher rates of advanced disease (39% and 36%, respectively for African-American and Hispanics vs. 26% for Whites). Men’s knowledge regarding accuracy and benefits of prostate cancer screening, treatment effectiveness, and treatment complications is generally lacking. Due to the lack of definitive evidence showing effectiveness of prostate cancer screening in decreasing mortality, many organizations recommend informed decision-making for prostate cancer screening. In addition, because of uncertainty regarding the potential benefits of treatment and the high risk of treatment related complications, informed decision-making is needed before undergoing prostate cancer treatment, particularly for elderly men and men with localized cancer, for whom watchful waiting may be preferable. Little is known, however, of what influences men’s decisions and how best to assist men in making informed decisions regarding prostate cancer screening and treatment. Several research studies have been conducted on ways to improve informed decision-making in men being seen in primary care practices; however, screening and treatment decisions may already be made by the time men visit their doctor. Therefore, making balanced information available to men in the community may be a more effective way to promote informed decision-making and encourage and facilitate more timely and useful discussions with their physician. Melanoma Prevention Project The coalition is now acting to distribute an education program for skin cancer prevention to each middle and high school and private academy in Morris County. The program was originated by the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, and is available from that organization as a video presentation accompanied by a school lesson plan and related brochures. The coalition has obtained the agreement of the Morris County Department of Health to include the video presentation on its website, and to advertise the program in a forthcoming public health related newspaper display. The coalition is also assisting other county cancer coalitions in the state to obtain these materials. Melanoma “Sun Safe” Project
This project uses a “train the trainer” model for the diffusion of evidence-based sun safety interventions. Morris is one of six counties in New Jersey that have the highest melanoma incidence rates (1999-2003) and are participating with the project. These six NJ counties include: 1) Cape May; 2) Warren; 3) Morris; 4) Monmouth; 5) Sussex; and 6) Ocean. Staff from these six counties, along with project trainers, form a multi-county sun safety workgroup called SCREEN (Skin Cancer Reduction - Early Education Network). Members of SCREEN will consist of county cancer coalition staff funded by NJDHSS Office of Cancer Control and Prevention. In Fall 2007, SCREEN members received a series of three half-day trainings provided by the supervisory staff from Hunterdon County Department of Health that covered the following content:
The Morris County Cancer Coalition contacted the Morris Regional Public Health Partnership, Inc., and secured the participation of five municipal health departments to conduct the project’s work. The project will continue during 2009 and is expected to be expanded.
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The Morris County Cancer Coalition conducts and participates with several programs. Including programs of opportunity initiated by organization's serving Morris County which the Coalition supports. The Coalition initiates other programs to implement the strategies of the New Jersey Cancer Control and Prevention Plan and to address the recommendations of the county’s cancer needs Report Summary and the Cancer Management Plan. They are:
The Coalition adopted a project to prevent skin cancer during 2007 and commenced its implementation in 2008. This is an evidence-based county-wide sun safety program that targets people using Morris County community pools, summer camps, parks, and elementary schools. This well received program has three programmatic components: 1) sun safety curriculum to improve sun safety knowledge/health literacy; 2) social marketing strategies to impact social norms regarding sun safety behaviors; and 3) policy/environmental interventions to increase local sun safety guidelines/policies and introduce shading structures to locations where children play outdoors.